System and method for producing images for display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A system for producing images for display apparatus includes an image source to obtain an input image and a processor configured to obtain information of a gaze direction of a user, determine a region of interest of the input image based on the gaze direction, and process the input image to generate a first with a first region that is blurred with respect to region of interest, and a second image corresponding to the region of interest. The processor adjusts an intensity of pixels within the first region and an intensity of pixels within the second image. When an intensity of a given pixel within the region of interest is lower than or equal to a predefined intensity threshold, an intensity of a corresponding pixel within the first region is lower than an intensity of a corresponding pixel within the second image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/223,657, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGES FORDISPLAY APPARATUS” and filed on Dec. 18, 2018, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to image processing; and morespecifically, to systems for producing images for display apparatuses.Moreover, the present disclosure relates to methods of producing imagesfor display apparatuses. Furthermore, the present disclosure alsorelates to computer program products comprising non-transitorymachine-readable data storage media having stored thereon programinstructions that, when accessed by processing devices, cause theprocessing devices to execute the aforementioned methods.

BACKGROUND

Presently, several technologies (for example, such as virtual reality(VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and extended reality(XR)) are being used to present interactive simulated environments tousers. The users utilize specialized Head-Mounted Devices (HMDs) forexperiencing and interacting with such simulated environments. Nowadays,the HMDs are also being designed to imitate a physiology of human visionby displaying foveated images to the user.

Conventional HMDs generally utilise multiple images for collectivelyforming a given scene of such simulated environments. These multipleimages are required to be optically combined with each other in asuitable manner that the users view a unified, immersive scene.

However, generating such images for the HMDs is associated with certainproblems. Firstly, due to limited advancement of conventional imageprocessing techniques, when multiple low-intensity images are opticallycombined to produce a low-intensity (namely, low-brightness) scene, saidscene appears non-uniform to the user. Secondly, suitably adjustingintensities of the multiple low-intensity images when multiple imagerenderers are used to render said multiple low-intensity images isextremely challenging due to difference in scotopic vision and photopicvision of humans. The different image renderers generally have differentranges of colour reproduction. When the aforesaid adjustment ofintensities is improper, a perceptual colour difference between themultiple low-intensity images becomes very prominent upon combining saidimages to form the low-intensity scene. As a result, the user isprovided with a sub-optimal immersive experience of the low-intensityscene.

Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need toovercome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with generating imagesfor display apparatuses.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to provide a system for producing imagesfor a display apparatus. The present disclosure also seeks to provide amethod of producing images for a display apparatus. The presentdisclosure also seeks to provide a computer program product comprising anon-transitory machine-readable data storage medium having storedthereon program instructions that, when accessed by a processing device,cause the processing device to execute a method of producing images fora display apparatus. The present disclosure seeks to provide a solutionto the existing problems of suboptimal image processing techniques forproducing low-intensity images for a display apparatus. An aim of thepresent disclosure is to provide a solution that overcomes at leastpartially the problems encountered in prior art, and provides aspecialized and efficient system for producing smoothly blendablelow-intensity images for the display apparatus.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a systemfor producing images for a display apparatus, comprising:

-   -   an image source that is employed to obtain an input image; and    -   a processor communicably coupled to the image source, the        processor being configured to:    -   obtain information indicative of a gaze direction of a user;    -   determine a region of interest of the input image based on the        gaze direction of the user; and    -   process the input image to generate a first image and a second        image, the first image comprising a first region that is blurred        with respect to the region of interest of the input image,        wherein the second image corresponds to the region of interest        of the input image,        wherein, when generating the first image and the second image,        the processor is configured to adjust, based on an intensity of        pixels within the region of interest, an intensity of        corresponding pixels within the first region of the first image        and an intensity of corresponding pixels within the second        image, wherein when an intensity of a given pixel within the        region of interest is lower than or equal to a predefined        intensity threshold, an intensity of a corresponding pixel        within the first region of the first image is lower than an        intensity of a corresponding pixel within the second image.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides amethod of producing images for a display apparatus, comprising:

-   -   obtaining information indicative of a gaze direction of a user;    -   determining a region of interest of an input image based on the        gaze direction of the user; and    -   processing the input image to generate a first image and a        second image, the first image comprising a first region that is        blurred with respect to the region of interest of the input        image, wherein the second image corresponds to the region of        interest of the input image,        wherein the step of processing the input image comprises        adjusting, based on an intensity of pixels within the region of        interest, an intensity of corresponding pixels within the first        region of the first image and an intensity of corresponding        pixels within the second image, wherein when an intensity of a        given pixel within the region of interest is lower than or equal        to a predefined intensity threshold, an intensity of a        corresponding pixel within the first region of the first image        is lower than an intensity of a corresponding pixel within the        second image.

In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure providesa computer program product comprising a non-transitory machine-readabledata storage medium having stored thereon program instructions that,when accessed by a processing device, cause the processing device to:

-   -   obtain information indicative of a gaze direction of a user;    -   determine a region of interest of an input image based on the        gaze direction of the user; and    -   process the input image to generate a first image and a second        image, the first image comprising a first region that is blurred        with respect to the region of interest of the input image,        wherein the second image corresponds to the region of interest        of the input image,        wherein the program instructions, when accessed by the        processing device, cause the processing device to adjust, based        on an intensity of pixels within the region of interest, an        intensity of corresponding pixels within the first region of the        first image and an intensity of corresponding pixels within the        second image when processing the input image, wherein when an        intensity of a given pixel within the region of interest is        lower than or equal to a predefined intensity threshold, an        intensity of a corresponding pixel within the first region of        the first image is lower than an intensity of a corresponding        pixel within the second image.

Embodiments of the present disclosure substantially eliminate or atleast partially address the aforementioned problems in the prior art,and enable production of intensity-correct images for a displayapparatus.

Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the presentdisclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detaileddescription of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunctionwith the appended claims that follow.

It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure aresusceptible to being combined in various combinations without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The summary above, as well as the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the presentdisclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in thedrawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specificmethods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those skilledin the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Whereverpossible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of different architectures of a systemfor producing images for a display apparatus, in accordance withdifferent embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic illustration of how an intensity ofpixels within a first region of a first image and an intensity of pixelswithin a second image is adjusted, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates steps of a method of producing images for a displayapparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed torepresent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or anitem to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined numberrelates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlinednumber to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied byan associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify ageneral item at which the arrow is pointing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of thepresent disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Althoughsome modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed,those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments forcarrying out or practising the present disclosure are also possible.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a systemfor producing images for a display apparatus, comprising:

-   -   an image source that is employed to obtain an input image; and    -   a processor communicably coupled to the image source, the        processor being configured to:    -   obtain information indicative of a gaze direction of a user;    -   determine a region of interest of the input image based on the        gaze direction of the user; and    -   process the input image to generate a first image and a second        image, the first image comprising a first region that is blurred        with respect to the region of interest of the input image,        wherein the second image corresponds to the region of interest        of the input image,        wherein, when generating the first image and the second image,        the processor is configured to adjust, based on an intensity of        pixels within the region of interest, an intensity of        corresponding pixels within the first region of the first image        and an intensity of corresponding pixels within the second        image, wherein when an intensity of a given pixel within the        region of interest is lower than or equal to a predefined        intensity threshold, an intensity of a corresponding pixel        within the first region of the first image is lower than an        intensity of a corresponding pixel within the second image.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides amethod of producing images for a display apparatus, comprising:

-   -   obtaining information indicative of a gaze direction of a user;    -   determining a region of interest of an input image based on the        gaze direction of the user; and    -   processing the input image to generate a first image and a        second image, the first image comprising a first region that is        blurred with respect to the region of interest of the input        image, wherein the second image corresponds to the region of        interest of the input image,        wherein the step of processing the input image comprises        adjusting, based on an intensity of pixels within the region of        interest, an intensity of corresponding pixels within the first        region of the first image and an intensity of corresponding        pixels within the second image, wherein when an intensity of a        given pixel within the region of interest is lower than or equal        to a predefined intensity threshold, an intensity of a        corresponding pixel within the first region of the first image        is lower than an intensity of a corresponding pixel within the        second image.

In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure providesa computer program product comprising a non-transitory machine-readabledata storage medium having stored thereon program instructions that,when accessed by a processing device, cause the processing device to:

-   -   obtain information indicative of a gaze direction of a user;    -   determine a region of interest of an input image based on the        gaze direction of the user; and    -   process the input image to generate a first image and a second        image, the first image comprising a first region that is blurred        with respect to the region of interest of the input image,        wherein the second image corresponds to the region of interest        of the input image,        wherein the program instructions, when accessed by the        processing device, cause the processing device to adjust, based        on an intensity of pixels within the region of interest, an        intensity of corresponding pixels within the first region of the        first image and an intensity of corresponding pixels within the        second image when processing the input image, wherein when an        intensity of a given pixel within the region of interest is        lower than or equal to a predefined intensity threshold, an        intensity of a corresponding pixel within the first region of        the first image is lower than an intensity of a corresponding        pixel within the second image.

The present disclosure provides the aforementioned system, method andcomputer program product. Beneficially, the first and second imagesproduced via the system are generated in a manner that, upon opticalcombination, said images form a subtly-blended low-intensity visualscene. In particular, intensities of pixels within the first and secondimages is suitably adjusted to provide the aforesaid subtle (namely,smooth) blending effect. Such adjustment also accommodates fordifferences in colour reproduction properties of different imagerenderers that may be employed for rendering said first and secondimages. Moreover, the first and second images can be optically combinedin respect of both scotopic vision and photopic vision of humans.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term “display apparatus” refersto specialized equipment that is configured to present a simulatedenvironment to the user when the display apparatus in operation is wornby the user on his/her head. In such an instance, the display apparatusacts as a device (for example, such as a virtual reality headset, a pairof virtual reality glasses, an augmented reality headset, a pair ofaugmented reality glasses, a mixed reality headset, a pair of mixedreality glasses, and the like) that is operable to present a visualscene of the simulated environment to the user. The display apparatusmay also commonly be referred to as “head-mounted display apparatus”.

Optionally, the display apparatus comprises means for detecting a gazedirection of a user, said means being configured to produce informationindicative of the gaze direction of the user.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term “means for detecting thegaze direction” refers to specialized equipment for detecting and/orfollowing a direction of gaze of the user of the display apparatus, whensaid user views the visual scene via the display apparatus. Notably, thegaze direction of the user is detected when the display apparatus inoperation is worn by the user. Optionally, the means for detecting thegaze direction is implemented by way of contact lenses with sensors,cameras monitoring the position of the pupil of the user's eye, and thelike. Such means for detecting the gaze direction are well-known in theart. Beneficially, the means for detecting the gaze direction isarranged in a manner that said means does not cause any obstruction inan optical path of a projection of the visual scene.

The system produces images for the display apparatus. Such imagescollectively constitute the visual scene of the simulated environment.In other words, the visual scene comprises a sequence of images. In anexample, the visual scene may be a virtual reality movie. In anotherexample, the visual scene may be an educational augmented reality video.In yet another example, the visual scene may be a mixed reality game. Itwill be appreciated that the aforesaid system and the aforesaid methodare not limited to producing only a single image for the displayapparatus, and can be employed to produce the sequence of imagesconstituting the visual scene. In such a case, image processing stepsdescribed herein are performed for a sequence of input images to producethe sequence of images for the display apparatus.

The system is at least communicably coupled to the display apparatus. Byway of such communicable coupling, the system transmits the producedimages to the display apparatus. In some implementations, the system isintegrated with the display apparatus. In such implementations, thesystem is physically coupled to the display apparatus (for example,attached via mechanical and electrical connections to components of thedisplay apparatus). In other implementations, the system is implementedon a remote device that is separate from the display apparatus.Optionally, the system is mounted on the remote device. Examples of theremote device include, but are not limited to, a drone and a robot. Insuch an instance, the remote device is physically positioned at a givenreal-world environment, whereas the user of the display apparatus ispositioned away from (for example, at a distance from) the remotedevice. In such implementations, the system and the display apparatusare communicably coupled via a wired communication interface or awireless communication interface.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term “image source” refers toequipment that, when employed, obtains the input image. Notably, theterm “input image” refers to an image that is to be processed to producethe images for the display apparatus. It will be appreciated that theimage source can be employed to obtain a single input image, as well asa plurality of input images.

Optionally, the image source comprises at least one camera that isemployed to capture an image of a given real-world scene, wherein saidimage is to be utilized to obtain the input image. In such a case, theimage of the given real-world scene could be directly utilized as theinput image, or may be processed to obtain the input image.

Additionally or alternatively, optionally, the image source comprises acomputer. In an embodiment, the input image is entirely generated by thecomputer. In another embodiment, the computer processes the image of thegiven real-world scene (captured by the at least one camera) forobtaining the input image. For example, the computer may add computergraphics to the image of the given real-world scene for obtaining theinput image. In yet another embodiment, the computer is configured toretrieve the input image from a data repository. In still anotherembodiment, the computer processes an image retrieved from a datarepository for obtaining the input image. Optionally, the datarepository is implemented by way of a database arrangement, saiddatabase arrangement being coupled in communication with the computer.The term “database” generally refers to hardware, software, firmware, ora combination of these for storing information in an organized (namely,structured) manner, thereby, allowing for easy storage and retrieval(namely, access) of the input image. The term “database” alsoencompasses database servers that provide the aforesaid databaseservices to the system.

Throughout the present disclosure, the phrase “obtaining the inputimage” has been used to mean any of the following:

-   -   capturing the image of the given real-world scene using the at        least one camera, and using said image as the input image;    -   generating computer graphics using the computer, and using said        computer graphics as the input image;    -   capturing the image of the given real-world scene using the at        least one camera and adding computer graphics to the image of        the given real-world scene using the computer for producing the        input image;    -   retrieving, using the computer, the input image from the data        repository; or    -   retrieving the image from the data repository and adding        computer graphics to the retrieved image using the computer for        producing the input image.

Optionally, the processor is configured to control the image source toproduce the input image based on the gaze direction of the user. In sucha case, the processor utilizes the information indicative of the gazedirection of the user to control the image source in a manner that aportion of the visual scene towards which the user's gaze is directed iswell-represented in the produced input image. When such agaze-contingent input image is utilized to produce the images for thedisplay apparatus, the user is provided with a feeling of immersionwithin the visual scene. By controlling the image source in theaforesaid manner, the processor adjusts the visual scene that is to bedisplayed to the user.

Optionally, when the image source comprises the at least one camera, thesystem further comprises at least one actuator for adjusting anorientation of the at least one camera, wherein the processor isconfigured to control the at least one actuator to adjust theorientation of the at least one camera based upon the detected gazedirection of the user. Notably, the orientation of the at least onecamera is adjusted to produce the input image according to the gazedirection of the user. By adjusting the orientation of the at least onecamera, a perspective and/or a field of view of the at least one camerais adjusted such that the image captured by the at least one cameradepicts the portion of the visual scene towards which the user's gaze isdirected.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term “actuator” refers toequipment (for example, such as electrical components, mechanicalcomponents, magnetic components, polymeric components, and so forth)that is employable to adjust an orientation of a given component.Furthermore, optionally, the at least one actuator is employed to tilt,rotate and/or translate the given component based upon the detected gazedirection of the user.

Optionally, the processor is configured to:

-   -   obtain information indicative of a head orientation of the user;        and    -   control the image source to produce the input image based on the        head orientation of the user.

Optionally, in this regard, the display apparatus comprises means fortracking a head orientation of a user, said means being configured toproduce the information indicative of the head orientation of the user.Throughout, the present disclosure, the term “means for tracking a headorientation” refers to specialized equipment for detecting and/orfollowing an orientation of the user's head, when the display apparatusin operation is worn by the user.

Optionally, the processor controls the image source to produce the inputimage from a perspective of a current head orientation of the user. Bycontrolling the image source in such a manner, the processor allows forproducing perspective-correct input images. Such perspective-correctinput images are employed to generate perspective-correct first andsecond images for the display apparatus. When the perspective-correctfirst and second images are displayed to the user via the displayapparatus, the user feels a sense of immersion and realism within thevisual scene. Examples of the means for tracking the head orientation ofthe user include, but are not limited to, a gyroscope, and anaccelerometer.

Optionally, when the image source comprises the at least one camera, thesystem further comprises at least one actuator for adjusting anorientation of the at least one camera, wherein the processor isconfigured to control the at least one actuator to adjust theorientation of the at least one camera based upon the head orientationof the user. Notably, the at least one actuator adjusts the orientationof the at least one camera (for example, by way of rotating, tilting,and the like) to be similar to the head orientation of the user. As aresult, the at least one camera is correctly oriented to capture theimage of the given real-world scene from the same perspective as that ofthe user's head.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term “processor” refers tohardware, software, firmware or a combination of these. The processorcontrols operation of the system. Notably, the processor obtains theinput image from the image source, and performs image processing stepsfor the input image to produce the images for the display apparatus. Theprocessor is communicably coupled to the image source wirelessly and/orin a wired manner. By way of such coupling, the processor obtains theinput image from the image source.

Optionally, the processor is configured to obtain the informationindicative of the gaze direction of the user from the means fordetecting the gaze direction. Optionally, in this regard, the processoris communicably coupled to said means.

Optionally, the processor is configured to utilize the informationindicative of the gaze direction of the user to determine the region ofinterest of the input image. The term “region of interest” refers to aregion of the input image whereat the gaze direction of the user isdirected (namely, focused) when the user views the input image. In otherwords, the region of interest is a fixation region within the inputimage. When the gaze direction of the user is directed towards theregion of interest, the region of interest is focused onto the fovea ofthe user's eyes, and is resolved to a much greater detail as compared tothe remaining region(s) of the input image.

The processor is configured to process the input image to generate thefirst image and the second image. Throughout the present disclosure, theterm “first image” refers to a low-resolution representation of theinput image, whereas the term “second image” refers to a high-resolutionrepresentation of a portion of the input image. Notably, the first imagecorresponds to an entirety of the input image, whereas the second imagecorresponds to only the region of interest of the input image. The firstimage and the second image collectively constitute the visual scene thatis to be displayed to the user of the display apparatus.

Optionally, the first image is generated by reducing a resolution of theinput image, while the second image is generated by cropping the inputimage. In other words, the first image represents the entirety of theinput image at a lower resolution than the input image, whereas thesecond image represents only a specific portion of the input image thatis extracted upon cropping the input image. Notably, a resolution of thefirst image is lower than a resolution of the input image, whereas aresolution of the second image is same as a resolution of the inputimage.

It will be appreciated that the resolution of the second image is higherthan the resolution of the first image. For a given pixel within thefirst image, there would always be a plurality of corresponding pixelsof the second image.

Throughout the present disclosure, the “first region of the first image”refers to a region of the first image that corresponds to the region ofinterest of the input image, said first region of the first image beingblurred with respect to the region of interest. The first region of thefirst image appears to have lesser visual detail as compared to theregion of interest. The first region of the first image can beunderstood to be a low-pass region of the first image. A remainingregion of the first image corresponds to a remaining region (namely, aregion other than the region of interest) of the input image. Saidremaining region of the first image constitutes, within the visualscene, a representation of the remaining region of the input image.

Optionally, when generating the first region of the first image, theprocessor is configured to apply a blur filter to pixels within theregion of interest of the input image.

The second image corresponds to the region of interest of the inputimage. It will be appreciated that the second image corresponds to thesame region of the input image as the first region of the first image.The first region of the first image and the second image collectivelyconstitute a representation of the region of interest within the visualscene.

Hereinabove, the phrases “the first region of the first imagecorresponds to the region of interest of the input image” “the secondimage corresponds to the region of interest of the input image” are usedto mean that the first region of the first image and the second imagecorrespond to at least 80 percent of the region of interest of the inputimage; more optionally, to at least 90 percent of the region of interestof the input image; and yet more optionally, to at least 95 percent ofthe region of interest of the input image.

The processor adjusts, based on the intensity of pixels within theregion of interest, the intensity of corresponding pixels within thefirst region of the first image and the intensity of correspondingpixels within the second image. Such an adjustment is made in a mannerthat the collective intensities of the corresponding pixels within thefirst region of the first image and the second image closely emulate anoriginal intensity of the pixels within the region of interest.Optionally, the processor performs said adjustment by way of at leastone image processing operation.

Hereinabove, the term “intensity” of a given pixel refers to an overallbrightness of the given pixel. Notably, the term “overall brightness” ofthe given pixel has been used to mean any of the following:

-   -   a brightness of the given pixel, said brightness being indicated        by a single value lying within a minimum brightness value and a        maximum brightness value associated with the given pixel, when        the given pixel is a pixel of a grayscale image; or    -   an additive brightness of the given pixel, such additive        brightness being indicated by a sum of brightness values of        different colour channels associated with the given pixel, when        the given pixel is a pixel of a colour image.

In an example, when the input image is a grayscale image, a brightness(namely, an intensity) of a given pixel within the input image may beequal to 0.2. Notably, said brightness may lie within a minimumbrightness value ‘0’ and a maximum brightness value ‘1’ (or ‘256’, incase of 8-bit binary numbers) associated with the given pixel. Thebrightness of the given pixel may be expressed in form of a singlenumber as ‘0.2’, in 8-bit binary form as ‘00110011’, or in any othersuitable form.

In another example, when the input image is a Red-Green-Blue (RGB)colour image, an additive brightness (namely, an intensity) of a givenpixel within the input image may be equal to 496. Notably, said additivebrightness may be a sum of brightness values ‘64’, ‘224’ and ‘208’ of ared colour channel, a blue colour channel and a green colour channel,respectively, that are associated with the given pixel. It will beappreciated that based on additive combination of the aforesaidbrightness values of the RGB colour channels, a resultant colour of saidgiven pixel is produced to be ‘turquoise’. The additive brightness ofthe given pixel may be expressed in form of a single number as ‘496’, inRGB intensity form as (64,224,208), in 24-bit binary form as‘010000001110000011010000’, in hexadecimal form as ‘40E0D0’, or in anyother suitable form.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term “predefined intensitythreshold” refers to a specific level of intensity for a pixel. Notably,any pixel having an intensity that is lower than or equal to thepredefined intensity threshold can be understood to be a ‘dark pixel’,whereas any pixel having an intensity that is higher than the predefinedintensity threshold can be understood to be a ‘bright pixel’.

When the given pixel within the region of interest is a dark pixel, thefirst and second images are generated in a manner that the correspondingpixel within the first region of the first image is darker than thecorresponding pixel within the second image. As a result, when the firstregion of the first image and the second image are optically combined tocollectively constitute the region of interest within the visual scene,the corresponding pixel within the first region of the first image wouldprovide a relatively dark base for the given pixel, whereas thecorresponding pixel within the second image would provide a relativelybright visual detail that is to be additively combined with said darkbase.

In an embodiment, the predefined intensity threshold is manuallyspecified by the user of the display apparatus. In another embodiment,the predefined intensity threshold is selected by or is pre-configuredinto the processor of the display apparatus.

It will be appreciated that such a manner of adjusting intensities ofpixels within the first image and the second image is beneficial withregard to scotopic vision of humans. When low-intensity (namely, dark)first and second images are to be rendered by separate image renderers,said adjustment of intensities provides subtle blending and enhancedlow-intensity visual detailing even when the separate image renderershave different ranges of colour reproduction (namely, intensity ranges).A low-intensity visual scene thus produced using said first and secondimages appears uniform and immersive to the user.

Moreover, the visual scene created upon optical combination of the firstimage and the second image has variable resolution, and therefore,emulates foveation characteristics of the human visual system. To theuser, the visual scene appears to have a higher resolution in a regionthat corresponds to an optical combination of the first region of thefirst image and the second image, and to have a lower resolution inremaining region of the visual scene.

Optionally, the intensity of the pixels within the region of interest ishigher than the intensity of the corresponding pixels within the firstregion of the first image. In other words, the intensity of thecorresponding pixels within the first region of the first image isadjusted in a manner that the pixels within the first region of thefirst image appear darker as compared to their corresponding pixelswithin the region of interest.

Optionally, in this regard, when generating the first image, theprocessor is configured to apply a darkening effect to the pixels withinthe region of interest. Said darkening effect is applied in a mannerthat only the first region of the first image (that is to be opticallycombined with the second image) appears darkened. In such a case, anintensity of the remaining region of the first image may remainunchanged.

As an example, when a given pixel within a region of interest of agrayscale image has an intensity equal to 0.15, the first image may begenerated in a manner that an intensity of a corresponding pixel withinthe first region of the first image is 0.1.

Optionally, the intensity of the pixels within the second image isadjusted based on the intensity of the corresponding pixels within theregion of interest and the intensity of the corresponding pixels withinthe first region of the first image. Optionally, in this regard, whengenerating the first image and the second image, the processor isconfigured to calculate the intensity of the pixels within the secondimage in a manner that a sum of an intensity of a given pixel within thesecond image and an intensity of a corresponding pixel within the firstregion of the first image lies within a predefined threshold from anoriginal intensity of a corresponding pixel within the region ofinterest, wherein a projection of the given pixel within the secondimage is to be optically combined with a projection of the correspondingpixel within the first region of the first image when the first andsecond images are rendered. Upon such optical combination, the intensityof the given pixel within the second image and the intensity of thecorresponding pixel within the first region of the first image would beadditively combined to achieve a resultant intensity. Such a resultantintensity lies within the predefined threshold from the originalintensity of the corresponding pixel within the region of interest,thereby accurately mimicking the original intensity of the correspondingpixel.

Optionally, the predefined threshold is +/−10% of the original intensityof the corresponding pixel within the region of interest. In an example,when an original intensity of a given pixel within the region ofinterest is M, a sum of an intensity of its corresponding pixel withinthe second image and an intensity of its corresponding pixel within thefirst region of the first image would lie within a range of 0.9*M to1.1*M. The sum of the intensities of the corresponding pixels within thesecond image and the first region of the first image may be, forexample, equal to 0.9*M, 0.95*M, M, 1.05*M or 1.1*M.

It will be appreciated that such a manner of adjusting allows forharmoniously matching the intensity of pixels within the second imageand the first region of the first image when the region of interest ofthe input image comprises dark pixels. Such first and second images,upon optical combination, provide a subtle blending effect andconsiderable low-intensity visual detailing for the region of interestof the input image. This allows for the display apparatus to provideenhanced perceived uniformity within low-intensity visual fixationregions of the visual scene. As a result, the user's experience whilstviewing the visual scene under scotopic vision conditions isconsiderably improved.

Optionally, the predefined intensity threshold is defined as 1 percentof a maximum intensity of at least one image renderer of the displayapparatus. Optionally, in this regard, when the at least image renderercomprises a plurality of image renderers, the predefined intensitythreshold is defined as 1 percent of a maximum intensity of an imagerenderer having lowest maximum intensity among the plurality of imagerenderers.

More optionally, the predefined intensity threshold is defined as 0.5percent of the maximum intensity of the at least one image renderer ofthe display apparatus.

Optionally, for a given image renderer, a linear scale of intensityranges from a minimum intensity to a maximum intensity, in an increasingorder of intensity. Optionally, in this regard, the predefined intensitythreshold is defined to be set at an intensity that is equal to 1percent of the maximum intensity. More optionally, the predefinedintensity threshold is defined to be set at an intensity that is equalto 0.5 percent of the maximum intensity.

As an example, when the linear scale of intensity for the given imagerenderer ranges from a minimum intensity of ‘0’ to a maximum intensityof ‘1’, the predefined intensity threshold is defined to be set at anintensity equal to ‘ 0.1’.

As another example, when the linear scale of intensity for the givenimage renderer that renders RGB colour images ranges from a minimumintensity of (0,0,0) to a maximum intensity of (255,255,255), thepredefined intensity threshold is defined to be set at an intensityequal to 7.68 (or approximately, at an intensity equal to 8). Accordingto such a linear scale of intensity, the intensity at (0,0,0) intensityis equal to 0; the intensity at (0,0,1), (0,1,0), (1,0,0), (0.5,0,0.5)and similar intensities is equal to 1; the intensity at (1,1,0),(1,0,1), (0,1,1), (2,0,0), (0,2,0), (0,0,2), (1.5,0.5,0), (0.5,1,0.5)and similar intensities is equal to 2; and so on.

Optionally, when an intensity of a given pixel within the second imageis lower than or equal to a predefined cut-off threshold, the intensityof the given pixel is adjusted to be equal to a minimum intensity of atleast one image renderer that is to be employed for rendering the secondimage. More optionally, the predefined cut-off threshold is defined as0.001 percent of a maximum intensity of the at least one image rendererthat is to be employed for rendering the second image.

As an example, given an image renderer for rendering the second image,said image renderer having a minimum intensity equal to ‘0’ and amaximum intensity equal to ‘1’, the predefined cut-off threshold is setat 0.001. Therefore, when the intensity of the given pixel within thesecond image is equal to 0.0005, said intensity may be adjusted to beequal to ‘0’.

Optionally, when generating the first image and the second image, theprocessor is configured to bin pixels of the input image. Notably,binning pixels of the input image refers to combining intensities ofpixels within the input image, in groups of four (namely, quad-groups).In such a case, intensities of a given group of four pixels within theinput image are combined to generate a single resultant intensitycorresponding to the given group.

Optionally, when binning pixels of the input image, intensities of fouradjacent pixels of the input image is combined. As an example, an inputimage X may comprise 16 pixels arranged as a 4*4 grid. In such anexample, intensities of a top-left group of four pixels P1-P4 of thegrid may be combined to generate a resultant intensity I1, intensitiesof a top-right group of four pixels P5-P8 of the grid may be combined togenerate a resultant intensity I2, intensities of a bottom-left group offour pixels P9-P12 of the grid may be combined to generate a resultantintensity I3, and intensities of a bottom-right group of four pixelsP13-P16 may be combined to generate a resultant intensity I4.

Optionally, when the image source comprises the at least one camera, theprocessor is configured to bin the pixels of the input image bycombining intensities of pixels corresponding to quad groups of a colourfilter mosaic of an imaging sensor of the at least one camera. Thebinning operation allows for increasing a frame rate, and improvingdynamic range, colour reproduction and exposure of the at least onecamera.

It will be appreciated that binning pixels of the input image improves asignal to noise ratio within the generated first and second images. Whensuch first and second images are rendered and optically combined, thevisual scene provides superior quality visual detail even in darkerregions of the visual scene.

Optionally, when the intensity of the given pixel within the region ofinterest is higher than the predefined intensity threshold, theintensity of the corresponding pixel within the first region of thefirst image is higher than the intensity of the corresponding pixelwithin the second image. It will be appreciated that adjusting theintensity of the corresponding pixel within the second image to berelatively low allows for prolonging a lifetime of the at least oneimage renderer that is to be employed for rendering the second image. Asan example, when a given image renderer for rendering the second imageis implemented as an OLED-based display, pixels of the given imagerenderer generally wear out as a function of a required intensity ofsaid display and time. In such an example, adjusting intensities ofcorresponding pixels of the first and second images in the aforesaidmanner may facilitate in prolonging the lifetime of the given imagerenderer.

Optionally, the display apparatus comprises at least a first imagerenderer and a second image renderer, wherein the first image and thesecond image are to be rendered, respectively, at the first imagerenderer and the second image renderer substantially simultaneously,further wherein a projection of the rendered first image is to beoptically combined with a projection of the rendered second image in amanner that the projection of the rendered second image substantiallyoverlaps with a projection of the first region of the rendered firstimage. The projection of the rendered first image is optically combinedwith the projection of the rendered second image to form a combinedprojection. When the combined projection is incident upon the user'seyes, the user views a single image of the visual scene, instead of twoseparate first and second images. It will be appreciated that renderingthe first image and the second image substantially simultaneously allowsfor rendering the visual scene as a unified whole at a given time.

By “substantially simultaneously”, it is meant that a time instant ofrendering the first image and a time instant of rendering the secondimage lie within 200 milliseconds of each other, and more optionally,within 20 milliseconds of each other.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term “projection” of a givenimage refers to a collection of light rays emanating from a given imagerenderer, when the given image is rendered by the given image renderer.The projection of the given image (namely, the collection of light rays)may transmit through and/or reflect from various components of thedisplay apparatus, before reaching the user's eye. For purposes ofembodiments of the present disclosure, the term “projection of the givenimage” has been used consistently, irrespective of whether thecollection of light rays is transmitted or reflected.

Hereinabove, by “substantially overlaps”, it is meant that amisalignment between corresponding pixels of the second image and pixelsof the first region of the first image lies within a range of 0 to 10pixels, and more optionally, within a range of 0 to 5 pixels.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term “image renderer” refers toequipment that, when operated, renders images of the visual scene.

Optionally, the first image renderer and/or the second image rendereris/are implemented as at least one display. Optionally, the at least onedisplay is selected from the group consisting of: a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED)-based display, a microLED-based display, an Organic LED (OLED)-based display, a microOLED-based display, a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS)-based display, apinhole aperture array-based display, and a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)-baseddisplay.

Optionally, the first image renderer and/or the second image rendereris/are implemented as at least one projector. Optionally, in thisregard, the images are projected onto a projection screen or directlyonto a retina of the user's eyes. Optionally, the at least one projectoris selected from the group consisting of: an LCD-based projector, anLED-based projector, an OLED-based projector, an LCoS-based projector, aDigital Light Processing (DLP)-based projector, and a laser projector.

Optionally, the processor is configured to generate the first and secondimages in a manner that a first transition area within the first regionof the first image fades on going from an outer periphery of the firsttransition area towards an inner periphery of the first transition area,while a second transition area within the second image fades on goingfrom an inner periphery of the second transition area towards an outerperiphery of the second transition area, wherein a projection of thefirst transition area is to substantially overlap with a projection ofthe second transition area when the first and second images arerendered. Optionally, the first transition area lies along a boundary ofthe first region of the first image. Optionally, the second transitionarea lies along a boundary of the second image.

Optionally, a width of the first transition area corresponds to 1% to10% of a width of the first image. More optionally, the width of thefirst transition area corresponds to 5% to 10% of the width of the firstimage.

Similarly, optionally, a width of the second transition area correspondsto 1% to 10% of a width of the second image. More optionally, the widthof the second transition area corresponds to 5% to 10% of the width ofthe second image.

Optionally, the width of the first transition area is equal to the widthof the second transition area. Alternatively, optionally, the width ofthe first transition area and the width of the second transition areaare unequal.

In an example, the first image has a width equal to 50 millimetres,whereas second image has a width equal to 20 millimetres. In such anexample, the width of the first transition area may be 1 millimetre(corresponding to 2% of the width of the first image), whereas the widthof the second transition area may be 1 millimetre (corresponding to 5%of the width of the second image).

It will be appreciated that said manner of fading the first transitionarea and the second transition area allows for reducing screen dooreffect upon overlapping of the projections of the first transition areaand the second transition area. Moreover, the aforesaid manner of fadingallows for smooth and gradual blending of said projections of the firstand second transition areas. Image processing techniques for fading thefirst transition area and the second transition area are well-known inthe art.

Optionally, the display apparatus further comprises at least one opticalelement for optically combining the projection of the rendered firstimage with the projection of the rendered second image, wherein aprocessor of the display apparatus is configured to determine, basedupon the detected gaze direction of the user, a region of the at leastone optical element onto which the projection of the first region of therendered first image and the projection of the rendered second image areto be focused, and to make an adjustment to focus the projection of thefirst region of the rendered first image and the projection of therendered second image on said region of the at least one opticalelement. Optionally, in this regard, the display apparatus furthercomprises an image steering unit, wherein the image steering unit isconfigured to make the adjustment to focus the projection of the firstregion of the rendered first image and the projection of the renderedsecond image on said region of the at least one optical element.

Optionally, the at least one image steering unit comprises at least oneactuator for moving at least one of: the at least one first imagerenderer, the at least one second image renderer, the at least oneoptical element.

Optionally, the at least one optical element is implemented by way of atleast one of: a lens, a mirror, a semi-transparent mirror, asemi-transparent film, a semi-transparent flexible membrane, a prism, abeam splitter, an optical waveguide, a polarizer.

It will be appreciated that the at least one optical combiner allows foroptically combining the projection of the rendered first image with theprojection of the rendered second image in a manner that the projectionof the rendered second image and the projection of the first region ofthe first image are incident upon a fovea of the user's eyes, whereas aprojection of a remaining region of the rendered first image is incidentupon a remaining region of the retina of the user's eyes.

The present disclosure also relates to the method as described above.Various embodiments and variants disclosed above apply mutatis mutandisto the method.

Optionally, in the method, the intensity of the pixels within the regionof interest is higher than the intensity of the corresponding pixelswithin the first region of the first image.

Optionally, in the method, the intensity of the pixels within the secondimage is adjusted based on the intensity of the corresponding pixelswithin the region of interest and the intensity of the correspondingpixels within the first region of the first image.

Optionally, in the method, when the intensity of the given pixel withinthe region of interest is higher than the predefined intensitythreshold, the intensity of the corresponding pixel within the firstregion of the first image is higher than the intensity of thecorresponding pixel within the second image.

Optionally, in the method, the predefined intensity threshold is definedas 1 percent of a maximum intensity of at least one image renderer ofthe display apparatus.

Optionally, in the method, the step of processing the input imagecomprises binning pixels of the input image.

Optionally, the method further comprises producing the input image basedon the gaze direction of the user.

Optionally, the method further comprises:

-   -   obtaining information indicative of a head orientation of the        user; and    -   producing the input image based on the head orientation of the        user.

The present disclosure also relates to the computer program product asdescribed above. Various embodiments and variants disclosed above applymutatis mutandis to the computer program product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a block diagram of an architectureof a system 100 for producing images for a display apparatus 102, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100comprises an image source 104 and a processor 106 communicably coupledto the image source 104. The system 100 is at least communicably coupledto the display apparatus 102.

The image source 104 is employed to obtain an input image. The processor106 is configured to obtain information indicative of a gaze directionof a user, determine a region of interest of the input image based onthe gaze direction of the user, and process the input image to generatea first image and a second image. The first image comprises a firstregion that is blurred with respect to the region of interest of theinput image. The second image corresponds to the region of interest ofthe input image. When generating the first image and the second image,the processor 106 is configured to adjust, based on an intensity ofpixels within the region of interest, an intensity of correspondingpixels within the first region of the first image and an intensity ofcorresponding pixels within the second image. When an intensity of agiven pixel within the region of interest is lower than or equal to apredefined intensity threshold, an intensity of a corresponding pixelwithin the first region of the first image is lower than an intensity ofa corresponding pixel within the second image.

It may be understood by a person skilled in the art that the FIG. 1includes a simplified architecture of the system 100 for sake ofclarity, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein.The person skilled in the art will recognize many variations,alternatives, and modifications of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is a block diagram of an architectureof a system 200 for producing images for a display apparatus 202, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The system200 comprises an image source 204 and a processor 206 communicablycoupled to the image source 204. The system 200 is at least communicablycoupled to the display apparatus 202. The image source 204 is employedto obtain an input image. The processor 206 is configured to obtaininformation indicative of a gaze direction of a user, determine a regionof interest of the input image based on the gaze direction of the user,and process the input image to generate a first image and a secondimage.

The display apparatus 202 comprises at least a first image renderer(depicted as a first image renderer 208) and a second image renderer(depicted as a second image renderer 210), wherein the first image andthe second image are to be rendered, respectively, at the first imagerenderer 208 and the second image renderer 210 substantiallysimultaneously, further wherein a projection of the rendered first imageis to be optically combined with a projection of the rendered secondimage in a manner that the projection of the rendered second imagesubstantially overlaps with a projection of the first region of therendered first image.

The display apparatus 202 further comprises a means 212 for detecting agaze direction of a user, said means 212 being configured to produce theinformation indicative of the gaze direction of the user. Moreover, thedisplay apparatus 202 further comprises at least one optical element(depicted as an optical element 214) for optically combining theprojection of the rendered first image with the projection of therendered second image, wherein a processor (not shown) of the displayapparatus 202 is configured to determine, based upon the detected gazedirection of the user, a region of the optical element 214 onto whichthe projection of the first region of the rendered first image and theprojection of the rendered second image are to be focused, and to makean adjustment to focus the projection of the first region of therendered first image and the projection of the rendered second image onsaid region of the element 214. In this regard, the display apparatus202 further comprises an image steering unit 216, wherein the imagesteering unit 216 is configured to make the adjustment to focus theprojection of the first region of the rendered first image and theprojection of the rendered second image on said region of the opticalelement 214.

The display apparatus 202 further comprises means 218 for tracking ahead orientation of a user, said means 218 being configured to produceinformation indicative of a head orientation of the user. In thisregard, the processor 206 is configured to obtain the informationindicative of the head orientation of the user, and to control the imagesource 204 to produce the input image based on the head orientation ofthe user.

It may be understood by a person skilled in the art that the FIG. 2includes a simplified architecture of the system 200 for sake ofclarity, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein.The person skilled in the art will recognize many variations,alternatives, and modifications of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, illustrated is an exemplary schematic illustrationof how an intensity of pixels within a first region 302A of a firstimage 302 and an intensity of pixels within a second image 304 isadjusted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The first image 302 and the second image 304 are generated uponprocessing an input image (not shown). The first region 302A of thefirst image 302 is blurred with respect to a region of interest of theinput image. The first image 302 corresponds to an entirety of the inputimage. The second image 304 corresponds to the region of interest of theinput image. An intensity of pixels within the first region 302A of thefirst image 302 and an intensity of corresponding pixels within thesecond image 304 is adjusted, based on an intensity of correspondingpixels within the region of interest.

When an intensity of a given pixel within the region of interest islower than or equal to a predefined intensity threshold, an intensity ofa corresponding pixel 306A within the first region 302A of the firstimage 302 is lower than an intensity of a corresponding pixel 308Awithin the second image 304. In such a case, the pixel 306A is darkerwith respect to the pixel 308A.

Alternatively, when the intensity of the given pixel within the regionof interest is higher than the predefined intensity threshold, anintensity of a corresponding pixel 306B within the first region 302A ofthe first image 302 is higher than an intensity of a corresponding pixel308B within the second image 304. In such a case, the pixel 306B isbrighter with respect to the pixel 308B.

It may be understood by a person skilled in the art that the FIG. 3depicts simplified illustrations of the first image 302 and the secondimage 304 for sake of clarity only, which should not unduly limit thescope of the claims herein. The person skilled in the art will recognizemany variations, alternatives, and modifications of embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, illustrated are steps of a method of producingimages for a display apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. At a step 402, information indicative of a gazedirection of a user is obtained. At a step 404, a region of interest ofan input image is determined based on the gaze direction of the user. Ata step 406, the input image is processed to generate a first image and asecond image. The first image comprises a first region that is blurredwith respect to the region of interest of the input image, whereas thesecond image corresponds to the region of interest of the input image.

The step 406 of processing the input image comprises adjusting, based onan intensity of pixels within the region of interest, an intensity ofcorresponding pixels within the first region of the first image and anintensity of corresponding pixels within the second image, wherein whenan intensity of a given pixel within the region of interest is lowerthan or equal to a predefined intensity threshold, an intensity of acorresponding pixel within the first region of the first image is lowerthan an intensity of a corresponding pixel within the second image.

The steps 402 to 406 are only illustrative and other alternatives canalso be provided where one or more steps are added, one or more stepsare removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequencewithout departing from the scope of the claims herein.

Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in theforegoing are possible without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as“including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “have”, “is” used todescribe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construedin a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components orelements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to thesingular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for producing images for a displayapparatus, comprising: an image source that is employed to obtain aninput image; and a processor communicably coupled to the image source,the processor being configured to: obtain information indicative of agaze direction of a user; determine a region of interest of the inputimage based on the gaze direction of the user; and process the inputimage to generate a first image and a second image, the first imagecomprising a first region that is blurred with respect to the region ofinterest of the input image, wherein the second image corresponds to theregion of interest of the input image, wherein, when generating thefirst image and the second image, the processor is configured to adjust,based on an intensity of pixels within the region of interest, anintensity of corresponding pixels within the first region of the firstimage and an intensity of corresponding pixels within the second image,wherein when an intensity of a given pixel within the region of interestis lower than or equal to a predefined intensity threshold, an intensityof a corresponding pixel within the first region of the first image islower than an intensity of a corresponding pixel within the secondimage, and wherein when the intensity of the given pixel within theregion of interest is higher than the predefined intensity threshold,the intensity of the corresponding pixel within the first region of thefirst image is higher than the intensity of the corresponding pixelwithin the second image.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the intensityof the pixels within the region of interest is higher than the intensityof the corresponding pixels within the first region of the first image.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the pixels within thesecond image is adjusted based on the intensity of the correspondingpixels within the region of interest and the intensity of thecorresponding pixels within the first region of the first image.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the predefined intensity threshold is definedas 1 percent of a maximum intensity of at least one image renderer ofthe display apparatus.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein, whengenerating the first image and the second image, the processor isconfigured to bin pixels of the input image.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the display apparatus comprises at least a first image rendererand a second image renderer, wherein the first image and the secondimage are to be rendered, respectively, at the first image renderer andthe second image renderer simultaneously, further wherein a projectionof the rendered first image is to be optically combined with aprojection of the rendered second image in a manner that the projectionof the rendered second image overlaps with a projection of the firstregion of the rendered first image.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe processor is configured to control the image source to produce theinput image based on the gaze direction of the user.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: obtain informationindicative of a head orientation of the user; and control the imagesource to produce the input image based on the head orientation of theuser.
 9. A method of producing images for a display apparatus,comprising: obtaining information indicative of a gaze direction of auser; determining a region of interest of an input image based on thegaze direction of the user; and processing the input image to generate afirst image and a second image, the first image comprising a firstregion that is blurred with respect to the region of interest of theinput image, wherein the second image corresponds to the region ofinterest of the input image, wherein the step of processing the inputimage comprises adjusting, based on an intensity of pixels within theregion of interest, an intensity of corresponding pixels within thefirst region of the first image and an intensity of corresponding pixelswithin the second image, wherein when an intensity of a given pixelwithin the region of interest is lower than or equal to a predefinedintensity threshold, an intensity of a corresponding pixel within thefirst region of the first image is lower than an intensity of acorresponding pixel within the second image, and wherein when theintensity of the given pixel within the region of interest is higherthan the predefined intensity threshold, the intensity of thecorresponding pixel within the first region of the first image is higherthan the intensity of the corresponding pixel within the second image.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the intensity of the pixels withinthe region of interest is higher than the intensity of the correspondingpixels within the first region of the first image.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the intensity of the pixels within the second image isadjusted based on the intensity of the corresponding pixels within theregion of interest and the intensity of the corresponding pixels withinthe first region of the first image.
 12. The method of claim 9, whereinthe predefined intensity threshold is defined as 1 percent of a maximumintensity of at least one image renderer of the display apparatus. 13.The method of claim 9, wherein the step of processing the input imagecomprises binning pixels of the input image.
 14. The method of claim 9,further comprising producing the input image based on the gaze directionof the user.
 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising: obtaininginformation indicative of a head orientation of the user; and producingthe input image based on the head orientation of the user.
 16. Acomputer program product comprising a non-transitory machine-readabledata storage medium having stored thereon program instructions that,when accessed by a processing device, cause the processing device to:obtain information indicative of a gaze direction of a user; determine aregion of interest of an input image based on the gaze direction of theuser; and process the input image to generate a first image and a secondimage, the first image comprising a first region that is blurred withrespect to the region of interest of the input image, wherein the secondimage corresponds to the region of interest of the input image, whereinthe program instructions, when accessed by the processing device, causethe processing device to adjust, based on an intensity of pixels withinthe region of interest, an intensity of corresponding pixels within thefirst region of the first image and an intensity of corresponding pixelswithin the second image when processing the input image, wherein when anintensity of a given pixel within the region of interest is lower thanor equal to a predefined intensity threshold, an intensity of acorresponding pixel within the first region of the first image is lowerthan an intensity of a corresponding pixel within the second image, andwherein when the intensity of the given pixel within the region ofinterest is higher than the predefined intensity threshold, theintensity of the corresponding pixel within the first region of thefirst image is higher than the intensity of the corresponding pixelwithin the second image.